Why Rest Is The Key To Your Health
Last weekend I was at new course learning new osteopathic skills.
The course was about biodynamics.
It is all about helping people get into a "neutral" state in order for their body to self heal.
When I was in this course, it was 100% in alignment with how I view health & the body.
The instructor talked about rest and how we don't get enough of it in our world.
Rest doesn't only mean sleeping either - rest is so much more than that.
Have you ever felt rushed, overwhelmed, or even full of tension?
Having rest in your life is the opposite, it gives a feeling of;
- peace
- quiet
- stillness, and
- ease.
We can have these things without sleeping (although sleep is a major part of healing).
Rest comes down to how we live our life and how much space we give ourselves.
In the course we talked about fluids of the body and when they're locked up, so are the bones. By helping someones body reach a neutral you are helping the body be able to free up tension.
This gives the body space & stillness needed to do the healing work.
Our nervous system needs to be in rest & digest to heal. That is why rest in our life is so important.
To be in neutral & reach a state of rest it means to be still and be in peaceful indifference. It is releasing any plan or expectation (this can be even just a moment in time).
Why Do We Experience Pain & Disease?
The problem with our society is it isn't designed to be restful.
We are always rushing to the next thing, and barely enjoying the moment.
When we get a moment to rest, we think we're lazy. Next thing you know we are stressed, in a bad mood or just burnt out.
We're disconnected from nature, consumed with thoughts, things & activities. All of which brings us closer to disease.
When we don't take time to slow down it prevents our ability to heal & function fully.
Now, this doesn't mean we should just sit around and do nothing and never aspire to have or be anything.
I believe it's more about what we are putting a focus on and if we are designating time for rest.
You can be "busy" but still be happy & fulfilled.
If you're busy but not happy & fulfilled then you're doing the wrong things OR you need more space in your life.
This I believe is what balance is about in life.
Not things being equal. But the ability to get the responsibilities done while also finding play, joy & rest in our days.
The more you can create space in your life (even just 5 minutes) to take a deep breath, pause or experience stillness. The closer you will get to health.
“When the force which is born in us is unrestricted then it will do what is needed”. - A.T Still
What Do People Need To Heal & Experience Wholeness?
There are things you can do daily or weekly to help yourself come to a better state of "neutral".
As a practitioner, using the methods I was learning about this past weekend, I can help you get to a better state of neutral for healing.
If you want to book an Osteopathic Appointment with me, click here.
However, it is important for you to also curate a life that better suits being in a neutral state. Then after treatment you won't continually going back into your patterns.
This allows for growth & progression. As stated in the course growth is when we are constantly moving towards "normal".
Normal in this sense means;
- Decreased tension & increased motion
- Ability to change shape with breathing
- A relationship with the whole of yourself (mind, body, spirit)
- The ability to adapt without compensating
- The ability to rest
- The capacity for distortion and then to return.
The better you get at these things, the healthier you will be.
The goal of biodynamics is to help you to establish health so that you can be independent of authorities. So that you no longer NEED doctors, practitioners, etc. unless something comes up.
It's less about removing symptoms & more about getting to a place of health where those things are no longer the focus.
Here are some things needed for healing & wholeness;
- We need a perception shift. What is health for me & am I living in a way that supports that?
- Stillness & rest - how much of this do you get in your life?
- Need a living environment that supports rest. We need rest, joy, playfulness, etc.
- We need a better state of neutral day to day.
- We need "fellow travellers". People who are on the same page as us.
- We need to fall in love with life again, like little kids are.
- We need a better relationship with our health.
- We need to live in our uniqueness. Our own individual form of wholeness - not living like other people are because that is what is expected.
When we start to implement these aspects stated above we will move ourselves into a better state for healing & health.
Your body is capable of self healing, and we don't have to do that by forcing, we can do that by being present & open.
Allowing ourselves to rest & relax.
So, do you have enough space & rest in your life? Or do you need to put a little more intention into it?
Start by thinking about small ways to implement rest. Read a book, take a bath, go for a walk, etc.
Once these start to become habitual, you will naturally find more ease.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Try to rest!
I will put the Link below again if you are looking to book an Osteopathic appointment with me to assist you.
I wish you the best on your journey to neutral.
- Jo
If you're needing support along your health journey, here's how you can work with me.
1:1 Manual Osteopathic Treatment (in person): We will go through an assessment and treatment based on your needs & goals.
